Portugal shares the Iberian Peninsula with Spain, and is
bordered by the Atlantic Ocean to the west and south. Its long,
varied coastline, sunny climate, and the relaxed lifestyle of the
inhabitants of its charming towns and villages have made it a
sought after holiday destination. The delight of Portugal is that,
although it is undeniably part of modern Europe, it retains some
rural enclaves where time has stood still and traditions flourish.
In the southern province of the Algarve, modern high-rise resorts
line the coast and buzz with all the trappings of a package tour
destination; the capital city, Lisbon, on the west coast, is a
bright, busy, crowded metropolis surrounded by bustling tourist
resorts. Travel a few miles north or east, however, and discover a
largely undeveloped picturesque countryside full of medieval
villages and towns where life has changed little over several
centuries.
The Portuguese have a close affinity to the sea; for centuries
their famed mariners led the way in the exploration of Africa and
the Americas, and opened trade routes to the East. The country
became a strong colonial power, and remained so until the mid-20th
century, resulting in distinctive foreign influences on the local
culture and architecture. From Africa, for example, was imported
the now traditional, sentimental fado music, which is one of the
country's unique experiences for visitors, particularly in the
cafés of Lisbon.
In recent years Portugal, long overlooked on the list of the
world's top vacation stations, has been investing time, money and
effort into ensuring it is discovered by the world's travellers,
just as once it was the Portuguese who discovered the world. This
new age of discovery is paying off, as increasing numbers of
visitors arrive each year and hotel and resort construction has
exploded. From the visitor's point of view the compactness of the
country makes it easy to take in all the best elements: sandy
beaches, scenery, history, wonderful cuisine, lively entertainment,
charming handcrafts, thrilling nightlife, country fairs, excellent
sporting facilities and warm, friendly people.
From the cobbled winding streets of Lisbon's medieval citadel to
the cork forests in Alentejo, and from fishermen mending their nets
on remote beaches to the shopping malls and sophisticated glitzy
resorts, Portugal is a country well worth discovering.
